Muntasir Hakim- Portfolio 2023

PORTFOLIO

Muntasir Hakim

SELECTED WORKS

SPAN, FILL AND TRANSFER

A railway platform

VERTICAL HORIZON

A contextual tall building, Dhaka

A WALK THROUGH THE AGES

The emerging built environment, Old Dhaka

EXPLORING THE UNCHARTED PATHWAYS

Habitat with people, Jhenaidah

URBAN BUSINESS HOTEL Design of a convention hospitality, Dhaka

THE WATERSCAPES Ecologically balanced tourist resort, Cox’s Bazar

A mosque in a factory compound, Dhaka ACME WAREHOUSE

Finished goods storage building with a basement, Dhaka HERSTORY/AARONG

Interior of a bespoke retail store, Dhaka

AARONG 40 YEARS CELEBRATION

Master plan and pavilion of a temporary exhibition space, Army Stadium

BRAC BRANCH OFFICE

Eight prototype office design across Bangladesh

INTO THE PROCESS An insight into design ideology

SPAN, FILL AND TRANSFER

A RAILWAY PLATFORM

Type: Academic

Role: Individual Work

Instructors: Mahmudul Anwar Riyadh, Saiqa Iqbal Meghna and Shams M Ghani

In this idea project, the concept was to explore the formation of a geometric ‘growth’ as resultant of systematic development of a structural shell/canopy spanning a railway platform of about 100’ x300’. The approach was juxtaposed with an innovative structural intervention. Aesthetic, force and forms of the canopy were generated carefully in pure geometry and symmetrical order. The result was a thin structure sitting on the platform like a tree canopy and merging with the surrounding.

BRAC University

FLOOR PLAN AND ELEVATION

The structural idea was to create an elevated skeleton to express the floating sense of feeling. It was executed using tubular steels columns of 10” diameter as the primary structure and 6” tubular columns on the secondary structural membrane. The geometric approach included a hexagonal tube on the center to distribute the load evenly.

The shell is proposed to be double-layered PTFE( Ethylene tetrafluoroethylene) to resist heat and allow cool daylight. Hence transparency to achieve floating feel again. PTFE layers would be attached using tertiary solid steel tubes with the secondary members.

Elevation portraying the hierarchy of each segment

Handmade model images using Pepacura, Sketchup and AutoCAD

STRUCTURAL DIAGRAM

Exploded axonometric showing structural layers of the canopy

Skin

Light Weight ETFE Outer Shell, Durable, Recyclable, Fireproof and Aesthetic

Tertiary Structure

Geometric pattern, made of steel tube with PTFE system fitments

Secondary Structure

Modular 6” thick tubular steel columns with connection to the foundation columns

Primary Structure

Modular 12” thick tubular steel columns with RCC footing to the base plates

Plinth and Station

RCC structure serving waiting and station master’s room, ticket counter, toilets and store

Evening view of the canopy from the platform highlighting the tubular membranes

VERTICAL HORIZON

A CONTEXTUAL TALL BUILDING

Academic: Individual ARC 302 Design Studio VI Duration: 04 weeks [Summer 2014]

Role: Individual Work

Instructors: Mahmudul Anwar Riyadh, Saiqa Iqbal Meghna and Shams M Ghani

Dhaka is one of the most densely populated cities in the world with 75,000/sq-mi. Therefore, high-rise buildings are inevitable in Dhaka city due to scarcity of land and high land prices. We were given to design a tall building comprising cutting-edge technologies, sustainable building material and structural intelligence. The termination at the crown and ground floor function ideas were considered to be the strong point of this project. The site is in Mohakhali, a mixeduse business district in the city with a few mid-rise buildings in the avenue.

BRAC University

FORM DERIVATION AND FLOOR PLANS

1.Open Public Space

As it is located at the edge of a lake, transitional point and a prominent road, defining a public open area

2. Functional Distribution Programs are generated in multiple towers connected by functions resulting in a minimum occupied space of the ground

3. Context Coherence

The form of the towers are refined considering visual connectivity and energy efficiency of the built form

4. Core Formation

Each tower is equipped with a core comprising of service areas, MEP shafts and elevator. They are placed toward the center to achieve maximum visual areas

5. Central Courtyard

All the towers are connected together by the atrium creating a breakdown space among the users while making the built form interact with its users

6. Connectivity with Public

The plaza continues into the central courtyard which terminates in the sky garden located at the floor level 25, drawing the public into the building

Site is located around the Gulshan Lake

VIEWS AND FACADE DETAILS

Energy efficient screen detail

Connectivity of the towers at podium level

View of the tall building from the lake and placement with surrounding

A WALK THROUGH THE AGES

THE EMERGING BUILT ENVIRONMENT

Academic: Team Work ARC 401 Design Studio VII Duration: 06 weeks [Spring 2015]

Role: 60% Survey, 50% Conceptual Design, 60% Detail Design, 50% Drawing

Collaborator: Tasmia Kamal

Instructors: Timmy Aziz, MD Habib Reza and Farasha Zaman

Choto Katra is one of many caravanserai’s built during the Mughal era in Dhaka City to accommodate traveller traders and other visitors. It was built in 1663 by Shaista Khan, the then Governor (Subedar) of the province of Bengal and the remnants suggest that it was built following a classic form for caravanserai’s which is a courtyard based two or three story structure with axial gate buildings and corner towers. Communities and architects have a history of dealing processes of the erasure of urban history in the modern era. In the case of Choto Katra however not only the original structure disappeared but an intense social life has also grown around the ruins that itself calls to be preserved. This project will explore an approach where both the past and the present are respected and a coexistence of the two will be sought.

BRAC University

SITE AND BACKGROUND

Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, well known as city of fine muslin, mosques and rickshaws has a fairly long history of evolution. Before it rose into prominence as Mughal capital of Bengal in 17th century and urban & commercial center, it was under the Sultanates from 14 century and it came under the British control in 1757. Dhaka with passage of time testify different faces of history. The main reason of failure emerges because of the way we proceed. We need to think that every heritage site has a story to be told and a mystery to be unfold. If we could create a connection among the heritage sites which narrates a mystical story along with historical impacts to the people, then only the preservation strategies and importance of the site can be well understood.

A heritage path is introduced through the choto katra that will guide people along the historical site near the sites. The significance of puran Dhaka heritage walks lies greatly in the storytelling and therefore, appreciation will start once you see the historical structures through the eyes and you will enjoy it once you feel that you are rediscovering history. Choto katra once had a court yard which acted as a civic space in that time. But it is lost now captured by warehouse shops and illegal slums our idea is to relocate existing buildings inside choto katra and introduced new functions inside choto katra and brought the previous essence of the monuments back.

Historical sites of Puran Dhaka

A path connecting the historical sites

Heritage map connecting all the historical landmarks

Time line of Choto Katra

Zoning of Choto katra

Plaza pattern generation and programs

Three alternate option for the heritage path

Proposed heritage path

Proposed heritage path

Connectivity of the Path

The history needs to be preserved. It needs to be told and explained in the most interesting way possible.

Master plan

Ground floor plan

Section BB’

Second floor plan

First floor plan

Section DD’

Section EE’

Section GG’

The connectivity of the public spaces and heritage path with the neighbourhood

EXPLORING THE UNCHARTED PATHWAYS

HABITAT WITH PEOPLE

Academic: Team Work ARC 402 Design Studio VIII Duration: 06 weeks [Fall 2015]

Role: 60% Survey, 50% Conceptual Design, 60% Detail Design, 50% Drawing

Collaborator: Tasmia Kamal

Instructors: MD Faruk, Khondaker Hasibul Kabir and Cyrus S Khan

Shatbaria, a tribal settlement by the river Nabaganga has an approx population of 150 families. This is a community of low-income families of a Hindu majority population. The project is divided into two phases, the first phase includes an analysis of the existing households, their needs, aspiration and the second phase is interpretation of design solutions based on the analogical information. We focused on creating a relationship of the people with the river through generating intermingled pathways. River-front development to revive the water body with different income generating activities to boost the economy as well as strengthen their community bond. With all these, housing typologies were generated with community participation.

BRAC University

Existing conditions

Analysis and rearrangement

Pathway generation

The road being the main spine of the community, represents the activities of the people everyday. The houses are rearranged with openings towards the road and river, giving respect to privacy and other issues. This street is always active and holds the community together.

Concept and considerations

Analysis of existing homesteads

Activities along the river edge

Main street of Shatbaria depicting the activities

Master plan

River side elevation

Section BB’

Section AA’

Section CC’

Typology

View from a tea store

1. Proposed Typologies 2. Toilet 3. Residence in good condition 4. Temple 5. School, multi purpose hall and club 6. Community gathering center 7. Shops 8. Aid Boundary PLAN AND EXPLODED DETAILS

Focus areas of the community

This project gave us an unique experience of how to ‘design with people’ rather than ‘design for people’. The community participated in survey and shared their aspirations.

Mapping with community people

Model

and exhibition images proposed master plan and house typology

05

URBAN BUSINESS HOTEL

DESIGN OF A CONVENTION HOSPITALITY

Academic: Team Work ARC 501 Design Studio IX Duration: 12 weeks [Spring 2016]

Role: Individual

Instructors: Bashirul Haque, MD Faruk, Huraera Jabeen and Cyrus S Khan

The idea was to create an introvert space for the business and city users of the hotel. A public walkway through the hotel serving the surrounding areas. The water body creates a barrier between the two entities but ensures a visual connection. It brings back the presence of former large ponds around the Kuril area. It also provides an evaporative cooling from the South. The forms were placed according to site considerations and viewpoints around the site. Floating masses above Waterscapes were intended to give an essence of our demography- flood plain. An atrium incorporated centrally for a rural arbitrary sense of walkways through fluid corridors on the bay and lobby area then terminating into sky gardens.

BRAC University

The site is situated in a dense urban context. An area of four acres within master plan of Jamuna Future Park surrounded by southeast Asia’s largest shopping mall, an amusement park and commercial strip on the road side Progoti Shoroni is full of huge traffic all the time of the day connecting to the north of the country.

However ,there is a declination of existence of water body around the area in the last few years. Therefore, design development involved proposal of large water compound to serve the neighbourhood as well.

Form development by considering minimum obstruction to surrounding buildings. Arbitrary lines were generated by locating vantage points. These lines were derived using factors from site analysis such as noise level, visual connection.

Ground floor plan

Section AA’

Floor plans

Suite details

A public promenade through the hotel and water body

Undulated facade detail and double height break-down spaces

The arbitrary atrium connecting the common areas

Curtain wall details

North elevation

South elevation

EXPERIENCING THE WATERSCAPES

ECOLOGICALLY BALANCED TOURIST RESORT

Type: Academic ARC 503 Design Studio X Duration: 12 weeks [Fall 2016]

Role: Individual Work

Instructors: MD Habib Reza, Sajid Bin Doza, Naim Ahmed Kibria and Shams M Ghani

The core idea of the project is to create spaces that stimulate senses and allows one to indulge into a contemplation. An approach to address the fading culture and neglected built environment in the coastal city. An eco-resort which responded to site, micro-climate and tradition - a building which belongs to the place and propose a humanistic and resilient substitute to the dullness of international hospitality architecture. Furthermore, this tourist resort is an attempt to create a serene experience along the existing Waterscapes in the site. The water bodies also act as unifying objects for the various levels of built forms. Moreover, undulated ground surface is sensitively utilized to generate multiple layers of space and views of different type of Waterscapes. In greater aspect, this project suggests an ideal approach toward a sustainability and development of the tourism sector of Bangladesh.

BRAC University

Cox’s Bazar along Bay of Bengal in South Eastern Bangladesh, is one of the most pristine tourism destinations of South East Asia. The town is known for its 125 km long unbroken shore, which is believed to be world’s longest natural sandy sea beach. However, despite major growth in tourism sector especially in hotels and motels, Cox’s Bazar lacks a place of entertainment for the tourists and the locals. The shoreline is piled up of concrete jungles which conflicts with the beautiful rendezvous of the hills and the sea.

The resort complements with the landscape with minimal disruption to the ecological balance of the area and to provide relaxation among the existing water and landscapes. Moreover, such considerations could help tourists and locals to experience serenity of the site and surrounding. Tourism, local demands and most importantly the climatic conditions of the Cox’s Bazar area were of primary concern throughout the design process.

Site driven design forces and elements as the initial design inspiration.

Existing entry points are used to allocate primary and service entry. The site surrounding considerations such as built forms, usage, and natural environment to create formal and informal space. Local homesteads were taken as reference to create hospitality areas as introverted as possible. The layout of the villas and cottages were inspired from bungalows and hut style houses of Bengal.

Contemplation

One of the key points of the resort was the ‘Shagorika’ pond. Entry to the resort was made through this view point of the pond, which is a contemplation area for the tourists.

Stimulating Senses

Finally, all the functions are placed in harmony along the entire site to stimulate senses and generate relaxation among the tourists.

Visual Indulgence

The informal paths will lead to experiencing of landscape, Waterscapes and vegetation. The entire path is made to create a journey for the users offering visual indulgence.

Connecting Waterscapes

The Bay of Bengal, the pond, water bodies and lakes are connected physically or visually to make one feel surrounded by water.

First floor plan of the restaurant

Ground floor plan

Sectional Perspective showing activities in the resort plaza

Top view of the resort and public facilities

The site of a total 17 acre area is surrounded by a dense Tamarisk forest on the South-West. Therefore, strong tidal winds are reduced by the vegetation. Moreover, being a golf course previously, the site had subtle undulation as well. This situation allows to take advantage for placing the forms along the dense vegetation and mound area. Traditional building techniques and material appropriate for the context such as the Kyaung and Rakhine houses. Incorporating the local architecture as the type of buildings, or villas, need to reflect the local culture and heritage of the area so that tourists can experience it. The climatic factors such as strong cyclones are also prudent.

Juxtaposition of villas and water body in the nature

Amphitheatre and Waterscapes enhancing the flow of space

Shaded drop-off area bringing public into the built form

Floor plans and exploded structural details

Villa and Cottage Typologies

Plan at level 7’-0”

Plan at level 7’-0”

Plan at level 14’-0”

Children’s plays-cape area enriched with local flora and fauna

Plays-cape area activity

Handmade and laser cut model images

MONOLITH

Type: Professional Studio Morphogenesis Ltd. Status: Construction On-going

Role: Detail design and architectural drawing, rendering, construction drawing, material prototype analysis, site supervision and documentation

Lead Architects: Saiqa Iqbal Meghna and Suvro Sovon Chowdhury

The mosque is located in a factory compound in the outskirts of Dhaka city, Ashulia. Site is overlooking a serene lake on the West. The idea was to create a monumental built form with pure natural ventilation and singular material. This is achieved placing green courtyards in the corners and carefully designed perforations on the shear walls. A very detail oriented design approach leading into sculptural built form which will result in an uplifting break from labour-some time of the workers in the factory. The west side of the prayer space merges into the lake with a shallow infinity water body. The water from ablution and water body will be filtered in a below and released into the green space, reducing water consumption. Pigmented concrete is selected as structural and finish material with rigorous prototyping and testing.

Floor plans and detail drawings: Sketchup, Rhino and AutoCAD

Construction process and sample making

"He understood the very essence of the project and delicately handled the drawings and construction at site"- Saiqa Iqbal Meghna

Isometric, interior of dome and water side view: Rhino, Sketchup, Lumion, Enscape and Photoshop

Photo Courtesy- Muntasir Hakim, Studio morphogenesis Ltd.

ACME FG WAREHOUSE

Type: Professional Studio Morphogenesis Ltd. Status: Approval in Process, 2021

Role: Design and architectural drawing, rendering, presentation, FAR calculation approval drawing and consultant coordination

Lead Architect: Suvro Sovon Chowdhury

The finished goods warehouse is located in a large-scale factory compound in the outskirts of Dhaka city. Designing a built-form to contain sustainable utilitarian attributes and be compatible with the future projections for the Master Plan. Development of an iconic form in a scale which will provide both a visual identity and visual clarity. The elliptical built form resulted in creating a statement, an iconic architecture amidst the chaotic development in the sub-urban fabric.

"Took the challenge to acknowledge the highly complicated functions and successfully handled the complexity of the form"- Suvro Sovon Chowdhury

Form possibilities and generation

Floor plans and elevations: AutoCAD

Perforated metal screen facade: Sketchup, Enscape and Photoshop

View from main approach showing the cantilevered mass

HERSTORY/AARONG 09

Type: Professional Studio Morphogenesis Ltd. Status: Completed, 2021

Role: Project architect, design, drawing, 3d modelling, rendering, supervision and team member coordination

Lead Architects: Saiqa Iqbal Meghna and Shahla Karim Kabir

Incarnating the unique sophistication and elegance of Bengal heritage, the first thematic space of Herstory stands as an epitome of representation of the concept with its exclusive women’s clothing line of Aarong. With a contemporary take on exquisite architectural elements and the delicately crafted surface made with rustic terracotta and brass. The colour choice and prominent geometric elements, such as the arch depicting circulation were inspired by the widespread practice of using red terracotta found across the land on many heritage buildings and monuments.

"Effectively managed the tasks to complete the design and build the project within a very challenging timeframe. Appreciate his skill to design the details and also work as a team leader to complete the project"- Shahla Karim Kabir

Floor plan with finish detail

Brass pipe fabrication detail

Isometric view of the store: Sketchup, Enscape and Illustrator

Section showing wall detail: AutoCAD

Construction process and finish detail

Photo-Studio Morphogenesis Ltd.

AARONG 40 YEARS CELEBRATION

Type: Professional Centre for Inclusive Architecture and Urbanism (Ci+AU)

Status: Completed 2019 (03 days)

Role: Project architect, master plan, design, construction drawings, estimation, consultant coordination and on-site supervision

Lead Architect: Adnan Z Morshed

Team Members: Shafaiet Mahmud, Tahseen Reza, Rukaiya Karim

An exhibition master plan in Dhaka and design its individual pavilions for different iconic products, from Jamdani and silk fabric to jewellery and leather merchandise. The concept was to choreograph a loop of pavilions with the informal spatial organization of a Bengali village bazaar. While each pavilion retained its individuality, the master plan sought to create a holistic experience of one central theme: the evolutionary story of Bangladesh’s rural handicrafts. Time constraints required a quick installation and dismantling. Hence, bamboo was the ideal choice for the structure of the pavilions. As it is the most ubiquitous traditional building material throughout the world’s tropical and sub-tropical regions.

"Throughout the time with the firm, he has carried the process of design in a very delicate way. His works were very detailed and in depth taking the time to shift through observations of site and client's need. Where all the associates enjoyed the companionship and also overwhelmed by his devotion towards Architecture"Adnan Z Morshed

Exploded structural detail: AutoCAD, Sketchup

A night view of the pavilions

Photo- Muntasir Hakim

Construction process and use of local material

BRAC BRANCH OFFICE

Type: Professional Centre for Inclusive Architecture and Urbanism (Ci+AU) Status: Completed, 2019

Role: Management of eight branch office design, 3D modelling, rendering, construction drawings, consultant coordination and top supervision

Lead Architect: Adnan Z Morshed

Team Members: Shafaiet Mahmud, Tahseen Reza, Samiur R Bhuiyan, Tasmia Kamal and Saad M Kaikobad

Our primary design challenge was to conceive a compact office building with a clear articulation of different functional zones, both horizontally and vertically. We needed to create a sequential spatial diagram, from the public (beneficiary areas) to the private (staff accommodation and dining), all intermingled with a system of moderately-sized courtyards, facilitating natural light and air ventilation. As we imagined an inclusive, healthy, and ecological life-style office environment, we also endeavoured to create a visual language that people across Bangladesh would readily identify with BRAC and its mission of social inclusiveness. That visual language took inspiration from three archetypal features of the Bengal pastoral landscape: the rudimentary Bengal hut, the solitary tree in the agricultural field, and the horizontal sweep of the Bengal delta.

3D modelling and rendering: Sketchup, Lumion and Photoshop

Construction detail and presentation drawing: AutoCAD and Photoshop.

Photo- Ci+AU

INTO THE PROCESS 12

Type: Professional Centre for Inclusive Architecture and Urbanism (Ci+AU)/Studio Morphogenesis Ltd.

From the initial stage to completion, a connectivity between the regional and global perspective is generated by various tools and techniques in order to redefine the constraints of construction. The ideology involves a focus into relationship of geometry with material character and how it can be utilised to achieve the best possible outcome with limited resources in our country. Below I have focused into two of the designs I have completed in an attempt to reflect my design principle: a canopy and a reception desk.

Design, detail and presentation drawings: Sketchup, AutoCAD

Photo- Muntasir Hakim, Ci+AU and Studio Morphogenesis Ltd.

Canopy design of RS campus academic building, BRAC University

Sculptural reception desk render to completion: Rhino, Sketchup, Enscape

Detail, CNC and presentation drawings:AutoCAD

Physical model, CNC milling and assembling

Wooden planks joined together to make 77 slices with minimal wastage

" He showed dis devotion towards architectural craftsmanship in the making of this desk"- Minhaz Bin Gaffar

STUDIO WORKS 13

Design lead, 3D modelling, rendering, drawing, presentation, construction and project management in design-build method

Selected works from my individual and design studio, from 2015. The works focus into small scale residential and mixed-use building types. Competition works, residential buildings, office interior, restaurants, healthcare facility and Pro-Bono projects (library, school and toilet) design and construction completed in recent years.

Juxtaposition of wood and clay-brick

A shipping container cafe in Dhaka completed in 2017

A single-family residence in a hillside area of 2100 sft in Chittagong city. 02 duplex apartments are placed in a staggered formation. An introverted yard in the South side allows a sublime natural ventilation with large openings on South and East.

Reviving underutilized space at the IAB’s open yard. Making use of abandoned infrastructures adjacent to the yard keeping in tune with the essence of the design of the existing IAB building. Collaborator: Saad M Kaikobad

Detail of interior design projects completed in 2020-2021

Rammed earth exterior wall completed in 2014

Second Place-Design Charrette of Young Architects ‘Under 40’ (Institute of Architects Bangladesh), 2022

HOBBIES AND INTERESTS

Automobile enthusiasm has been a part of me through my family. As I grew up, I have nurtured it from collecting and making scale models to vehicle restoration. I have been involved in automobile groups and surrounded by people who have the same passion. Having a knack for detail, I have expertised myself into technical know-how and wide range of information on automobile sector and history.

Hand-built plastic 1/24 scale models

Before restoration

After restoration of a 1989 Toyota Sprinter Trueno, 2015-2018

Selected photographs, 2014-2018

My photography style encompasses a focus on lines, symmetry and monochromatic theme

The portfolio is not only a compilation of my works. It tells a story of my accomplishments and learning. A retrospective.